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How long must a soldier serve abroad to get this medal?

To earn this medal, a soldier must serve for at least 30 days on an approved mission. They might be working in a foreign country to help keep the peace or provide safety. This rule ensures that only those who spent a significant amount of time away from home to serve their country receive this special honor.

How do you know where a soldier served?

Each medal has a small metal bar attached to the ribbon called a clasp. These bars are marked with the specific name of the place where the mission took place. This makes it easy for others to see if a soldier helped with missions in places like the Balkans, Lebanon, or Afghanistan.

What is shown on the front of the medal?

The front of the medal features a circle made of a laurel wreath, which is an old symbol for victory. Inside the circle, you can see a royal helmet placed over two crossed swords. These important symbols represent the bravery and strength of the Belgian military during their missions abroad.

Can air force and navy personnel earn it?

Yes, every branch of the Belgian military can earn this award. It does not matter if a person serves in the army, the air force, or the navy. As long as they are sent on an official mission to another country, they are eligible to receive the medal for their hard work.

Is this medal still being awarded today?

Yes, this medal is still given to soldiers today. It was officially created on April 13, 1993, to honor the modern work Belgian troops do around the world. Because soldiers still join international teams like NATO or the United Nations to help keep the world safe, this remains a very important and common award.

How long must a soldier serve abroad to get this medal?

To earn this medal, a soldier must serve for at least 30 days on an approved mission. They might be working in a foreign country to help keep the peace or provide safety. This rule ensures that only those who spent a significant amount of time away from home to serve their country receive this special honor.

How do you know where a soldier served?

Each medal has a small metal bar attached to the ribbon called a clasp. These bars are marked with the specific name of the place where the mission took place. This makes it easy for others to see if a soldier helped with missions in places like the Balkans, Lebanon, or Afghanistan.

What is shown on the front of the medal?

The front of the medal features a circle made of a laurel wreath, which is an old symbol for victory. Inside the circle, you can see a royal helmet placed over two crossed swords. These important symbols represent the bravery and strength of the Belgian military during their missions abroad.

Can air force and navy personnel earn it?

Yes, every branch of the Belgian military can earn this award. It does not matter if a person serves in the army, the air force, or the navy. As long as they are sent on an official mission to another country, they are eligible to receive the medal for their hard work.

Is this medal still being awarded today?

Yes, this medal is still given to soldiers today. It was officially created on April 13, 1993, to honor the modern work Belgian troops do around the world. Because soldiers still join international teams like NATO or the United Nations to help keep the world safe, this remains a very important and common award.

Home Library BelgiumCommemorative Medal for Foreign Operations or Missions

Service medal

Commemorative Medal for Foreign Operations or Missions

Awarded to modern Belgian soldiers who deploy abroad for peacekeeping, humanitarian aid, or international security missions.

Belgium Established 1993 All servicesPrecedence: Worn following historical campaign medals and ahead of pure longevity awards.

Medals & Awards

Awarded For

Awarded for completing at least one month of operational service on approved overseas peacekeeping or security missions.

Eligibility

Belgian military personnel and eligible attached civilian personnel participating in foreign operations.

Branch

All services

Precedence

Worn following historical campaign medals and ahead of pure longevity awards.

Commemorative Medal for Foreign Operations or Missions, Service medal, Belgium medal

History

Instituted by Royal Decree on April 13, 1993, this medal was created to recognize modern expeditionary service. During the Cold War and the 1990s, Belgian soldiers deployed worldwide on United Nations, NATO, and coalition operations. Belgium needed a unified campaign medal to honor these deployments abroad.

The medal replaced earlier temporary expedition awards with a permanent medal for overseas missions. Whenever soldiers complete a deployment in places like the Balkans, Lebanon, or Afghanistan, they receive the medal along with a specific metal mission clasp.

It remains one of the most common decorations worn by modern Belgian soldiers today. It highlights Belgium's active role in international peacekeeping coalitions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Used In

Gulf WarBalkans Peacekeeping MissionsWar in AfghanistanOperation Enduring FreedomUN Peacekeeping Deployments

Veterans Who Received This Award

Realistic illustration of the military medals and badges awarded to Albert Lilar, including Commemorative Medal of the 1940–1945 War, Commemorative Medal for Foreign Operations or Missions, shown against a light Belgium flag background. AI-generated illustration, not an authentic photograph.

WWII

Commemorative Medal of the 1940–1945 War Commemorative Medal for Foreign Operations or Missions

Albert Lilar

Who Was Colonel Albert Lilar?

A Belgian officer who navigated the complex challenges of the Second World War.

Belgium1940-1945

Read Story

Sources

Back to Belgium